Pope accepts resignation of U.S. Bishop who failed to report suspected child abuser
Pope Francis accepts resignation of Bishop Robert Finn, who leads the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph in Missouri. Finn admitted that he waited six months before notifying police about the Rev. Shawn Ratigan, who was sentenced in 2013 to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to child pornography charges. Finn pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of failure to report suspected abuse and was sentenced to two years' probation in 2012. Ref. USAToday
Pope meets with clergy sex abuse victims, says he'll hold priests accountable
Pope Francis on Sunday addressed the scourge of clergy sex abuse, vowing that the Catholic Church would provide "Careful oversight" To protect young believers. In unscripted remarks at the beginning of his address to bishops Sunday at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Francis said "Great harm" Was caused by the clergy sex abuse scandal that has marred the church over the last decade. Francis said he met with survivors of clerical sex abuse on Sunday and promised to hold clergy responsible for abuse accountable. Ref. USAToday
Two bishops hid sex abuse of hundreds of children, grand jury report says:
Two Roman Catholic bishops who led a central Pennsylvania diocese helped cover up the sexual abuse of hundreds of children by over 50 priests or religious leaders over a 40-year period, according to a grand jury report issued Tuesday. Ref. Source 7t.
Shattered faith: Nearly 100 sex abuse suits against Catholic priests rock island of Guam. An investigation by the USA TODAY Network's Pacific Daily News unearthed allegations of decades of child sexual assault and intimidation on Guam. Source 8o.